an opinionated sports blog

July 21, 2008

Well the MLB trade deadline is coming up quite quickly — only 10 days left to land that final piece of the puzzle guys! — but the NFL stole the trading show of the weekend when the Dolphins (finally) sent away their franchise player for two picks. After fighting with management over off-season training (Dancing with the stars over actual training), Jason Taylor was sent to the Redskins for a second round pick and a sixth round pick.

And now, being a Cowboys fan and Madden player, I’ll have to deal with another great pass-rusher in the NFC East. Just when I thought I was safe from a Strahan-calibre end, the Dolphins had to screw me over.

In the MLB, the Brewers picked up some good-hitting infield depth by trading for Ray Durham of the Giants. He may not play too often with Richie Weeks blocking him at second base and currently not slumping, but if/when Weeks starts sliding, Durham is a great insurance piece. As if it wasn’t evidenced by the Sabathia trade, Milwaukee is really taking a run at winning it all this year and with Sheets (maybe) and Sabathia (for sure) not returning to the fold in 2009, this could be their last shot. At least next year they can deal Durham to another contender and get some prospects back.

What’s even funnier was that the two teams were playing each other when negotiating the trade and Durham actually refused to accept it before the series was over. I would’ve done the same thing if I had the choice, jogging out of the visiting dugout a day after coming out of the home side, in front of the fans that had supported me for years would be all too weird. A classy move by Durham.

So, now with Sabathia, Harden, Blanton and Durham off the table, who’s next? Depending on where you’re looking, Matt Holliday and Brian Fuentes could be moving, A.J. Burnett is sought after, Jason Bay, Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte could all be out of Pittsburgh and the A’s might not be done dealing yet, with Huston Street on the market for the right returns. These weeks leading up to the trade deadline are really the most wonderful time of the year.